1. What led Springwood to adopt a tablet computer program for students?
In the fall of 2004, Springwood began to carefully analyze its technology program with an eye toward planning for the future. It was evident that fixed labs limited student access and their in-depth use of technology for learning. In the fall of 2005, the Springwood faculty began to utilize school-issued laptop computers to facilitate instruction. For four years, the school has focused on updating its network infrastructure and on emphasizing integration of technology with instruction. Faculty members have visited schools with one-to-one computer programs and have attended numerous workshops. Some members of the CVEF Education Committee have attended conferences, as well. Both board members and faculty have reviewed research data regarding the benefits of one-to-one programs, and, last spring, the CVEF approved a tablet computer program for grades 9 – 11 (12th grade optional), beginning in the fall of 2008.
2. Is use of tablet computers for learning beneficial for students?
o Each student’s learning environment is greatly expanded.
o Learners make better use of their time.
o Learning is no longer confined by the school schedule.
oThe frequency and effectiveness of student interaction improves.
o Tablet computers facilitate the management, analysis, assimilation, and presentation of information with the sophistication, creativity, and confidence needed for success in college and beyond.
o Tablet computers offer students the freedom to take better advantage of their individual strengths as learners.
o Students have immediate access to current, relevant resources.
o Computer access for every child becomes available anytime, any place.
o Students in tablet computer learning environments have fewer absences and tardies, are better engaged in learning, and have fewer behavior issues.
o Student organization of learning materials improves.
o Tablet computers provide a tool to shore-up individual student weaknesses.
o Critical thinking and research skills are used more frequently.
o Today’s students are “born digital.” Technology is a tool they understand, a common language for their generation.
o Tablet learners spend more time engaged in collaborative work and participate in more project-based instruction.
o Use of tablet computers leads to writing more, editing more, and production of better quality writing.
o Students use a greater variety and number of resources in their research.
o Students become savvy Internet users and learn to distinguish valuable, accurate information from useless content.
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3. How will technology be dispersed throughout the various grade levels?
Springwood will become an expanded, technology-rich learning community with tablet computers at appropriate grade levels.
I. Grades K4 – 3
Increased number of desktop computers in classrooms and labs as well as access to computers on wheels (COWS) for classroom use.
II. Grades 4 – 6
Regular access to COWS for use in all content areas.
III. Grades 7 – 8
Regular access to COWS in all courses and the probability of future use of individual tablet computers.
IV. Grades 9 – 12*
All students will purchase tablet computers with wireless capability which will become standard learning tools throughout the high school. Tablets can be used at school or at home, during both the school year and the summer.
*Members of the Class of 2009 will be permitted optional participation in the first year of the tablet program. Beginning in the fall of 2009, all students, 9 – 12, will be expected to purchase and use tablet computers for learning.
4. What timeline will be followed for the implementation of the tablet program?
The preliminary timeline will be as follows:
October 2007: Begin focus group meetings
November 2007: Teacher training; Continue focus group work
December 2007: Continue teacher training; Finalize pricing and lease terms for families; Continue focus group work
January 2008: Re-enrollment contracts to Families; Order teacher tablets; Host parent informational meeting
February 2008: Finalize program details; Provide ordering details to families
March 2008: Re-enrollment contracts returned to school
April 2008: Families order tablet computers; Summer schedule for teacher training announced
May 2008: End of school and graduation; Teacher tablets disseminated; Summer tablet roll-out schedule for students announced
June 2008: Teacher training
July 2008: Host student roll-out sessions and basic training
August 2008: Tablet use for learning begins as school opens
5. Will 2008-2009 seniors have to purchase tablets?
Tablet computer purchase for seniors in the Class of 2009 will be optional. However, it is highly recommended that students choose to purchase tablets to support their education at Springwood and beyond.
6. What kind of tablet will be available for student purchase?
The Lenovo X61, IBM Thinkpad will be the tablet designated for use by all Springwood students and faculty.
7. Which vendor will be chosen to provide the tablets?
Springwood has established a relationship with Virtucom, an Atlanta-based company specializing in support of one-to-one computer programs in schools. They offer competitive pricing, excellent support, and options to purchase outright or over time. We will arrange our hardware purchase through Virtucom and will provide ordering information at a later time.
8. When will my child receive a tablet?
Students in grades 9 – 11 and those rising seniors who purchase tablets will receive them in July of 2008. Tablets will be purchased online and will then be imaged and configured by Virtucom to function on the Springwood School network. They will then be shipped to the school in late June or early July for roll-out to students in small groups throughout the month of July. When students receive tablets, the tech staff will cover, as part of required orientation, various issues including back-ups, printing, power management, downloading materials, proper maintenance of the tablet, etc. The roll-out schedule will offer alternative dates for families who may be vacationing on their originally assigned date.
9. How much will the tablet cost?
Hardware costs continue to decline slowly, and a definite final price will not be known until spring. However, the tablet cost is estimated to be about $1,900.00 for outright purchase or about $62.00 per month over a three year period if paid in installments. Springwood will negotiate the very best possible price and will strive for flexibility regarding leasing, outright purchase, and payment plans.
10. What hardware and software will come with the tablet computer?
Tablets will come with one battery, a power supply cord, and an optional docking base that will provide such add-ons as writable CD/DVD drives, etc. The keyboard is attached to the tablet unit and, rather than a mouse, there is a toggle button that serves as the primary navigation tool.
Springwood will work closely with Virtucom to establish the software packages students will need. Some software will be grade-level and course specific, while all students will need a productivity package such as the Microsoft Office Suite. Basic productivity software will be included as part of the original tablet cost. Other course software will be available as an electronic download, a CD-ROM, or as an online subscription, much like current print textbooks.
11. Can I purchase a tablet computer model of my own choosing?
For the benefit of the total program, every family will be expected to purchase the prescribed model. Many parents will find local advertisements for laptops costing $500 - $850. However, these deals do not include educational software and a correctly imaged hard drive that will function on the school network. Other aspects of the Springwood tablet program such as tablet warranty, textbook software, damage protection, etc. are available only through purchase of the prescribed computer.
Example: If a family purchases the Microsoft Office 2007 software package from a retail store, the cost would be $399.00 The same software purchased under school license for student use would be $90.00.
Example: If a tablet screen breaks, the standard one-year warranty on most personally selected tablets would not cover the $1200.00 replacement cost. The prescribed model will be insured for screen breakage.
12. Why does purchasing the prescribed tablet model matter?
If all students and teachers have the same model, the school can support minor malfunctions by having “hot-swappable” parts on hand. Many minor repairs can be managed on-site. If all hard drives for a particular grade are identical, a student can have his/her hard drive inserted in a loaner tablet if their own has to be sent off-site for repairs. Finally, when students or teachers experience technical difficulty, there will be a large group of potential helpers in each class.
13. What else will I need to purchase?
Families may wish to consider the following regarding additional purchases and home expenses:
Ø The standard battery for a tablet typically lasts about one year. It is likely that additional batteries may have to be purchased over the three year cycle. Springwood will have some batteries available and will make them available at cost.
Ø Home expenses may include:
o High speed internet access
o Wireless access
o Wireless printing capability
14. What if my child’s tablet computer is stolen?
Students will have access to a loaner pool of computers to ensure access to a tablet while at school. In the event that a tablet is stolen, the student will be issued a loaner until insurance claims can be completed and a replacement tablet obtained. More specific details regarding insurance will be available at a later date.
15. How will the school manage repair, loaner, and replacement services?
The technology staff has the resources and expertise to repair many tablet malfunctions. Several parts are self-contained and can be swapped-out while a student waits. A significant number of problems can be addressed by the tech staff and remedied the same day. When a laptop requires service by the manufacturer, the tech staff will package the computer, overnight it to the repair center, and monitor the repair process until the machine is returned to the student/teacher.
Loaner machines will be available for use while machines are being repaired. Since hard- drives are swappable components, most users can have their own hard drive files quickly transferred to the loaner computer. A basic inventory of keyboards, hard drives, mice, and other replacement equipment will be available. If at all possible, no student will be without a tablet. Once the original student tablet is repaired, the student will return the loaner for use by a future student.
A yet-to-be-determined space will house the tablet repair and loaner offices. The “help desk” will be the location where students can get their tablet fixed and will have posted hours before, during, and after school.
16. How will I keep my child safe from viruses and porn?
During the remainder of this year as well as during the tablet orientation, we will offer information to parents regarding the dangers of the Internet. In addition, virus and security software will be installed on all student tablets to protect the machine. This protective software will be included as part of the original tablet price. Inappropriate downloads will be prohibited at school by the protection software. Should undesirable content be downloaded at home, the protection software will automatically remove it each morning when the student signs on to the school network.
17. Will there be any training classes for students, parents, and teachers?
Yes. Beginning in the summer of 2008, Springwood will offer a number of free training classes as well as help sessions to support tablet users. Information regarding when classes are available will be published on the Springwood website.
18. How much will the laptop be used in the classroom? at home?
Springwood School does not promote the use of technology for technology's sake. Computers are an essential and embedded tool for learning today. Research has shown that tablets in the classroom improve students' writing and provide for spontaneous, student directed learning through Internet research, data collection and analysis, and multimedia presentations. Use of tablets in class will depend on the content area and the appropriateness of technology for the lesson being taught. It is expected that the type and frequency of use will vary according to the curriculum. There is no expectation that tablets will be used in every class every day! Our intent is to teach better, differently. There will always be concepts and classroom activities that should be taught traditionally. All students will utilize their tablets regularly at school and extensively outside of the classroom to manage assignments, research, projects, etc.
19. How will students carry their tablet computers?
All students will be required to purchase a carrying case for their tablet. As time passes and we are able to convert to more and more electronic textbooks and learning materials, the students will have all their required books and materials on their tablet. This should decrease the heavy backpack loads many students currently experience.
